A fathers’ rights campaigner who staged an 11-day protest atop the Tyne Bridge has suffered life-threatening injuries in a fall.

Simon Anderton’s daughter revealed that her “superhuman” father was “lucky to be alive” after having a serious accident on Saturday while helping a friend fix some guttering.

The 57-year-old from Meldon Terrace, Heaton , made headlines last year when he scaled the landmark bridge on Father’s Day to demonstrate for parental rights.

Mr Anderton’s daughter Donna said the dad-of-five was “not out of the woods yet” following his accident.

She added: “Doctors say he has a serious lung injury and needs oxygen.

“They are carrying out further tests to determine any other issues.

“The paramedic said he’s very lucky to be alive.

“My dad is a fighter – I think he’s almost superhuman, I hope this will be another story for his grandkids.

“He’s survived a heart attack, a kidney disorder and numerous other incidents that could’ve seen him off.

“If anyone can pull through it’s my dad. I couldn’t imagine life without him.”

Mr Anderton is due to stand trial later this year over his Real Fathers for Justice protest last year, which saw him climb 180ft to the top of the Tyne Bridge in a bid to draw attention to what he claims is unfairness shown to dads by family courts.

He then draped a 25ft purple banner reading “happy fatherless day” from the structure but the grandfather denies his 11 day stint was causing public nuisance.

Following his spell on top of the bridge he handed himself in to police and posted a spoof review of his stay in the “penthouse suite” on Trip Advisor that went viral.

Mr Anderton is due to stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court on November 14, charged with causing a public nuisance .

Real Fathers for Justice co-founder Leigh Davison has also said that days before his accident, Mr Anderton heard he would be facing an additional charge of endangering life.

Mr Davison added: “I’m deeply concerned for Simon’s health.

“As one of his closest friends I just pray he pulls through and wish him a speedy recovery.

“It’s a tribute to Simon’s fighting spirit that despite being in agony, when paramedics were attending to him he was joking with them.

“He stated: ‘I haven’t finished the roof yet’, as he was being put in the ambulance. The guy is an absolute legend.

“All of our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this difficult time; we wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

Mr Anderton has previously scaled Westminster Abbey, spent nine days on the roof of the Metro Radio studios and occupied the Tyne Bridge for three days in 2008.